Our everyday Breastfeeding Heroes!

My Superhero Hubby!

by Jen L

Without my husband, I would have been unable to nurse my children. Each experience threw us many curveballs from latch problems, oversupply, undersupply, you name it. Yet I was not alone in this journey. My husband not only helped with feedings but helped with research on ways to increase my supply on days when it took a beating, breastmilk quality, supporting me by making sure my pump parts were washed and cleaned, and being my #1 cheerleader on days i wanted to throw out the pump. Without him, I probably would have given up much earlier but I am thankful for such a wonderful husband who also sees the value of breastmilk and supporting me through the 13 months and counting!

Amazing Neighbor

by Emily B

My name is Emily and I would like to nominate my neighbor Sarah. When I started breastfeeding a year ago with my first born, like an new mom I had no idea what to do. My amazing neighbor Sarah was always there to help. Sarah is a mother of five children in which she breastfeed all five of them. Out of the five children she has a pair of twins. I had always joked to her before having my daughter that she would be my breastfeeding momma that I would go to. While experiencing all the joys and lots of discomforts that comes along with breastfeeding, Sarah was always there. There had been so many email and text chats between us regarding all different things I had questions on. She was always so very supportive and helped me so much. She truly deserves an award for being such a great friend, neighbor and supporter. She is truly an inspiration to me and I’m sure many people out there. I hope one day that I can repay back the kindness she given to me.

Unexpected

by Ashely B

Breastfeeding my daughter came pretty naturally for both of us. Even though I had to have a c-section, she was able to nurse almost immediately, and decided she liked it, ALOT!!
When I went back to work at 7 wks it got HARD, supply was was a nonissue, until I had to pump. It hurts, it’s hard and unproductive. My wonderful husband stepped in. He spent his summer (he teaches high school) carting my sweet girl to and from my work place at least once a day, sometimes twice, to cut out a pumping session and ease anxieties. I’m never without clean pump parts, batteries if we are out and about without the baby, a cover up, a nursing bra, a word of encouragement. He’s never flustered when we’re late because she wants to keep suckling 45 minutes after she started. He’s patient, understanding, and inspiring. Now that we are both back at work he’s the one that sets the alarm for 3 am every night (even though she sleeps straight through) and makes sure I’m awake and pumping so our sweet girl has a full belly the next day. He’s everything I need and would have never thought to ask for. He’s my Breastfeeding Hero.

The gift of love

by Mandy C

I would like to nominate my mother as my breastfeeding hero. My mom breastfed in a time when the bf rates were very low, in the 1970s and early 80s. if it wasn’t for my mother breastfeeding my brother and me and encouraging me to breastfeed I might have missed out on the greatest gift of my life as a woman. When my mother had my older brother at 18 years old, she wanted to bf but her family told he “only poor white trash breastfeeds.” She had no support, so she didn’t bf. She regretted it so much that when I was born she bf me for 2 years, and went on to bf my younger brother. When she was nursing me she had an oversupply so she donated to a woman whose baby was in dire need of breastmilk. This was 34 years ago! She shared her milk freely with another mother and baby in a time when it was not common to do so. When my first child was born, my mom was right there to make sure I had the support and information I needed to breastfeed. After she was born, in the hospital, the pediatrician who saw my daughter was an older man. He told me that I needed to feed my baby formula or she would die. He gave me some cans of formula and told me that my breastmilk wasn’t enough. By the time he left the room I was crying my eyes out and my confidence was destroyed. My mom told me “When he comes back in here just agree with everything he says, and when we get home we will throw that formula in the trash.” I don’t know what would have happened w/out my mother’s support. She passed the greatest gift of my life as a woman and mother down to me, a gift that was not handed down to her, a gift that she fought for and earned on her own. I am not breastfeeding my 3rd child. I can never repay what she has done for me, so instead I will pass this gift on to my own children. My mom is a true hero in my eyes.

A Mother’s Intuition

by TJ F

I wasn’t dedicated to breastfeeding for the long haul. I had tried it with my first child and it didn’t work out and so with the second I was ready to give up at the first little bump in the road. But a good friend of mine, without me even saying so, sent me encouraging messages now and then. They wouldn’t seem like much to anyone else, but they were always exactly what I needed to hear! And when I reached out to her in the times I felt ready to give up, she was always there. I would not have been successful if it hadn’t been for her! I have made it a whole year! Thanks so much to you Brittany Hardbarger!!!

Front can’t to champ

by Jessica C

My friend D thought that breast feeding wasn’t ‘for her’ with her first child. Her mother and grandmother had relied on formula so she did too.

When she had her second baby, she decided to give it a try. Despite hemorrhaging after birth and health issues with her second child, she kept trying. After a year she had fed her baby and donated 1603 oz of milk which means more than 12 gallons. She turned something she was wasn’t sure she could do into something she could do to help babies other than her own.

She’s my breast feeding hero. She’s who I’ll point to when someone says they don’t think they can.

Don’t know her name

by Nicole W

I had a horrible birth experience and start to nursing with my first son. I ended up pumping for 6 months until my supply ran out. I was determined to try harder with my second son, who is now 5 weeks old. I met a lady in the store while stocking up on nursing pads when I was expecting him. We started talking and she encouraged me to try the first 3 weeks and see what happens from there. By the second week, we were going strong with breastfeeding and now it seems so easy! Wish I had stuck with it more with my first.

My Midwife

by Sara F

When I had my baby, I knew I wanted to breastfeed! My own mother had tried to feed me, but had supply issues, so I was switched to formula at only a few weeks. When I was pregnant, I asked my midwife many questions, and told her what happened with my mom. We went through many different scenarios, and she was confident in me! When I had to have a c-section, her and her co-workers were so helpful! My daughter was a natural, and once we got the latch right, we’ve never looked back! I am so thankful to her for all her support throughout my pregnancy and right after in the hospital!

from an ol pro to a new again..

by Janell C

Sometimes all it takes is a friend to keep you going, to depend on.. My friend Stacy is my Breastfeeding Cheer team! She supports me in every way, Always makes me fell included and takes that uneasy feeling away. She’s what I call a “Veteran mom”. She is the proud mamma to 3 beautiful kids 6,9,11. She nursed all of them & held down a full time job. Now that Iv just had my second child who is eleven years younger than my first. Iv needed her knowledge and support. She always has an answer to my questions and a hug for my tears and hand to hold for my fears. Im sure I would have weened My Daughter by now if it wasn’t for her love and support!

Against all odds

by Candess Z

Having been a staunch supporter of breastfeeding in my early years, I all but gave up on the hope I would be able to feed my own child when doctors told me I could not have one of my own. I adopted. I formula fed. Life moved on.

In June of 2012, I found out I was pregnant. My in-laws made me feel bad about breastfeeding as though it was an immoral gross act. My mother, who breastfed me for my first four months, gave me courage to overcome the adversity. I bought a pump so I could continue to feed once I returned to work. I thought I was set. I could do this.

Fast forward to January of 2013. My baby was born, and by the grace of God, I was able to feed him within minutes after he was born. He latched. Triumph! The hospital lactation specialist encouraged me to use lanolin for my sore nipples. Within a day, my nipples were swollen, red, cracked, and bleeding. It was agonizing to feed my baby. I clenched my teeth each feeding. I wanted to give up. I almost did. I pumped instead. My mom came over a few days later and overheard me tell my husband that I could not feed anymore, the pain was too much for me to deal with in my recovery from a c-section. My mother, in her wise ways, spent over an hour with me going through every scenario: my latch, my position, etc. I was doing everything right. Baby was feeding well. We did not know what was wrong. Then, it hit her. I was allergic to wool when I was a child. I never knew this as I never wear wool here in hot Las Vegas. I was allergic to the lanolin.
My mother worked with me for a month or so to remedy the “damage.” I slowly allowed the baby to feed regularly again. Now, six months later, I am proud to say I am able to feed without pain and with confidence. Thanks, mom. You are my breastfeeding hero.

From failure to success, thanks to my husband

by Sara S

My breastfeeding hero is my amazing husband. When our first was born I had a traumatic birth in a hospital that did not support breastfeeding at all and kept my son in the nursery feeding him formula. After we got home I fought for 3 months with breastfeeding, but we supplemented with formula too. I had no support from anyone. My husband tried to help me the best he could, but we were both lost. I have hated myself everyday for not being able to do it, my husband remind me all the time it is not my fault, that I did the best I could, and that even the little bit I was able to give our son was great. When I got pregnant with our second son I told my husband I wanted to breastfeed no matter what. He supported me all the way, doing research with me, going to classes, and even making sure our son was placed right on my chest to breastfeed right away and was not given a bottle or pacifier. After we left the hospital he waited on me hand and foot and helped me through the tears and frustration with that first month of breastfeeding. My husband’s family has been very anti-breastfeeding since the beginning and has given me a ton of heartache over it, which is very hard because we live very close to each other. They always try to shun me to a room by myself when I have to breastfeed our son, and my husband always stands up for me. When we were at my husband’s great-grandmother’s memorial I was in the other room breastfeeding our son when I heard his family talking about me and how I was a horrible parent for not bottle feeding our son, for not carrying around bottles and formula in case I die, for still breastfeeding my son at 5 months now. They tell me all the time that they will not babysit until I start giving my son formula and that as soon as he gets his first tooth I need to stop completely. My husband has now cut off his family for not supporting me, he has been my rock through all of this. He took me to my first Big Latch On the other day, wore a “I Support Breastfeeding” bracelet, took tons of pictures, and support me completely. I know there is no way I would still be breastfeeding without his support. He is amazing.

1 Phone Call

by Jerica M

I was about to stop nursing my first. My nipples were cracked and bleeding. I produced a mere 1/2 ounce pumping. My breasts hurt. My daughter cried constantly and had a hard time latching. Then a family friend called. She gave me tips. She told me that I could do it; it would get better, and about pumping in her car at construction sites. I went on to breastfeed my daughter for 13 months and my son for 19 months. I am pregnant and will breastfeed again. 1 phone call.

Mom of 10, Nana to almost 2!

by Libby K

My mom had 10 children, and nursed all, including a set of twins. When it came time for my son to be born, she was my biggest supporter, right alongside my husband. I probably would have not done it for as long as I did (1 year +) without her support. My sister is due in October, and I know she will be a great resource for her as well :)

My friend punky

by Kelly S

My long time friend, Jessica, is my breastfeeding hero. She’s a single mom with a full-time job with no other choice but to breastfeed. She makes enough money to live, but not enough to buy formula to feed her baby. She makes too much money to receive assistance. She pumps and stores and physically breastfeeds her little one. I know it has been a stressful time for her. Luckily, it’s almost over as her little one is almost a year old and it will no longer be a major issue. I’m proud of her and glad that she’s been able to give that to her little boy. She’s my hero because I couldn’t manage to get breastfeeding to work with either of my two boys.

Try, Try, Try….and TRY again!

by Megan R

A little background. My mom, being a young new mother, was told nursing was wrong and so when she had my older brother she bottle fed. By the time she had my sister 7 years later she knew she wanted to do it differently and decided to breastfeed, even though her own mother was unable to produce enough for her children. My mom nursed my sister and later me, but also found her supply was low.

So when I was pregnant with my first I knew I wanted to give it a try. I thought if I took all the classes, read all the books and prepared enough I would be successful. My first son was born at 7#9oz. I nursed him right away. As days went by he wasn’t producing any diapers and by two weeks was near death by starvation. Looking back at pictures I see it now, but as it slowly happens you can’t tell. He was well under his birth weight and I had no choice but to supplement. He quickly took down 6oz bottles I kid you not! The true sign he had been in trouble was the fact he starting making diapers and still had meconium! Within weeks he was busting out of clothes in length and weight. It was soon apparent that he was double the average size and has remained that way his whole life. He also had gotten his first two teeth at just two months old and teaching one that young not to bite was impossible. I found myself gritting every time he nursed for fear of him biting down when the milk was not enough for him. I endured for two more months, but at just four months old I had dried up and he was uninterested.

When I had our second son I vowed to make it work…without supplement. But he was born with severe acid reflux and the doctor was less than helpful treating him, telling me it was my own problem and that I wanted a perfect baby. We had to supplement as well as he would nurse throw up and wail out for more food. I nursed him 6 months till I dried up and at 9 months old I demanded help for my sons reflux. We went to a specialist who agreed to try a medicine though he thought it wouldn’t work. That day his reflux ended and only came back when we missed his dose. But it was too little too late.

So several years later we got pregnant with our second son. I was going to change EVERYTHING I did before to make it work. I had a homebirth to avoid drugs and be more bonded to my baby. I delayed circumcision till he was over a week old to help my milk get established and keep him from being lazy. I used teas, brewers yeast, flax seed, fenugreek, more milk supplement…literally hundreds of dollars invested! I pumped between feedings and yet none of it was enough. Even my midwife weighed him and said I needed to supplement. I was devastated. We supplemented for awhile and I went to see a lactation consultant in tears. She could see I had exhausted all options, also that I had thrush in one of my breasts. She gave me meds for the trush and also Domperidone which was not FDA approved by growing popularity for helping with milk production. I took it over two months and slowly I could notice a difference. Then when he was 6 months old I started solids and he was totally weened off the supplements. For the first time I had successfully nursed solely without supplement! I was able to nurse him till he was 15 months old, which ended because I had some hormone issues that lead me to surgery and a lengthy recovery.

I am now pregnant again…WITH A GIRL! The midwives discovered I am hypothyroid which they think could have been my issue nursing all along. They are treating it now and will continue after I have the baby. I am planning for a natural birth again. I feel more and more confident and hopeful that everything is behind me and this breastfeeding experience will go more smoothly, but if if it doesn’t I feel like somewhat of a professional who knows now what to do and how to overcome low milk supply.

During the toughest period in my life…they were there.

by Alysia M

When my first son was born, he had to be placed directly in to the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit). It was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with in my entire life. Even though he was only in for nine days, it felt like an eternity. When admitted, I expressed to the staff at the hospital where I delivered (St. Francis Hospital in Hartford CT) that I fully intended on doing whatever it took to breastfeed my son…regardless if he was in the NICU. Every staff member respected this, encouraged it and assisted in any way possible. They provided an electric pump with all of the supplies, support from a lactation consultant both in the hospital and When I had to leave without my son. So, when my son could not nurse, he was able to have my milk and the nurses were more than happy to accept my expressed milk to provide to him when I wasn’t there. I nominate the staff of St. Francis hospital as being the most caring, compassionate and understanding staff during such a terribly difficult situation. Thanks to their patience and understanding, I was able to fulfill my dream of nursing my son. He is now a happy and healthy four year old with a baby brother!!

Grandpa Knows Best

by Jennifer C

My dad was watching baseball and I was feeding my son, eyes glued to the batter, without even looking at me, my father says, “I think it is really neat what you are doing.” Huh? What the hell are you talking about, was all that I was thinking to myself. Sensing how puzzled I was, he continued, “...you know a lot of people just give up, but I think it is really cool you are still breastfeeding.” I was a little shocked, out of all of the people, I would never have guessed that my dad of all people, a man’s man by all account, would be the one who would encourage breastfeeding the most. He told me that he was proud of me, and then yelled at the television. I will never forget that moment. He has no idea how that simple statement, encourages me every time that I sit down to do what I do best. Feed my son.

The Male Nurse

by Lillith S

My first child was premature and I only ended up nursing him for four months. I had no support at all and had no idea what I was doing. By the time my second child was born I was determined to breastfeed her no matter what it took. She latched on perfectly right after she was born but by day 2 was having trouble latching. I was starting to feel really frustrated. I had kept trying and trying and I remember it had been hours since she had eaten. The nurses and even the lactation consultant at the hospital were starting to encourage formula feeding and I broke down crying. That is when the most wonderful male nurse came in and gave me wonderful words of encouragement . He showed me how to pinch my nipple just the right way to get my daughter to latch right on. He told me that breastfeeding takes time to learn and that the baby would be fine and get the hang of it and that I was one incredible woman. I ended up breastfeeding my daughter for 2 years after that day. I am so grateful for him. Blessing to all the mama’s out there who keep on trying and succeed!

Mother’s Breast

by Alejandra T

My most obvious breastfeeding hero has been my mother. As early as I can remember I recall being on my mother’s breast looking up at her face. I felt, warmth, comfort, safety, and love when I was latched onto her breast. My mother breastfed me until I no longer chose to be breastfed, which I decided was at 2 years old. I had a brother and a sister at the time (before my youngest sister was born)and I remember the three of us fighting to get to be on her breast. Back then, I thought it was so funny that I was on one breast while my brother/sister was on the other one. I remember fighting with my brother and sister for the breast like little newborn puppies piling and walking on each other to take a sip of their mom’s milk.Now that I am a mother myself I look up to her because she was very patient and caring enough to Take time to breastfeed all of us. Breastfeeding my child is hard enough, I take time to wonder how my mother did it with 4 children?! I thank her ever so much because I am healthy today, my intelligence is rather impressive *cough* you know what they say, breastfeeding a child = high I.Q. ;)So as much as I wonder what it is like to be bottle fed, I do not ever regret being breastfed, it’s natures way and I am grateful for that time that my mother took to bond with each and everyone of us. I still feel that warmth and closeness that I felt when I was latched onto her. It has made me become independent because I can take that feeling with me anywhere. It has influenced me to be patient and to take time to bond with my child while breastfeeding. The topic of breastfeeding can be as controversial as it wants, because no one will ever change my opinion about breastfeeding. As long as I have breasts, and I am able to produce milk, so be it.

Digging in for the long haul

by Megan R

It’s been a hard, hard road for us and breastfeeding…between bouts of mastitis, super low supply, lactation consultants telling us just to give up, friends and family belittling us for nursing because it’s just so gross and wrong,, working 70+ Hr work weeks as a Marine. Some days I pump more then he nurses, some days he perfectly latchs, some days he forgets how, some days I really want to quit… But every time it gets hard and I wanna quit I just tell myself that I’ll keep trying today, I’ll quit tomorrow.. so far tomorrows never come and we’re still going strong at 4 months and looking forward to our goals of 6 months, a year, a year and a half and hopefully even two years.

Pioneer

by Rhonda M

I felt like a pioneer for breastfeeding when I decided to breastfeed. Everyone in my family and all my friends just couldnt BELIEVE I wanted to do “that nasty thing”. “Oh how unsanitary” one would say..another “Arent you embarrassed?” One lone person held my hand and helped me thru the soreness and frustration that anyone who has tried it goes thru..Thank you Momma…NOW I understand what you were talking about when you told me how close you felt while breastfeeding me! I wouldnt trade it for all the bottles and formula in the world!

Sore

by Amanda R

I thought it was going to be easy to breastfeed. Boy was I wrong. I couldn’t get my baby to feed correctly and I was so sore. A dear friend kept encouraging me and I used a lot of lanolin which got me through it.

Hooray for my Husband!

by Jenn A

Try as I might, my firstborn preemie never latched. Instead, I pumped exclusively (with 2 Lansinoh pumps!) for 14 determined months. No dishwasher. No steam sterilizers. Just one supportive partner to hold and feed our son while I pumped 8x a day and to hand wash all those pump parts and bottles. Thankfully our second son, now 9 months, nurses exclusively. Easier you say? Not exactly, but more convenient! Without the support of my husband to diaper the baby and entertain big brother, we would not have the breastfeeding success we have ALL worked hard to achieve!

Unsure of Myself

by Brittany D

As a first time mom, breastfeeding was very intimidating to me. Just minutes after giving birth, I was able to breastfeed my daughter and I was clueless. The hospital lactation specialist was my cheerleader - I consistently heard “You and your baby are rock stars at this!” “Look at that colostrum already! Your body is doing exactly what it should!” I immediately felt on top of the world and had the confidence to breastfeed like a champ. I feel very grateful for such a blessed breastfeeding experience and equate the encouragement to still going strong at 6 months old :)

Jumping Right In

by Angelina M

I was so nervous before I had my baby about how I would breastfeed and what it would feel like. But, honestly, I didn’t spend too much time thinking about the topic until she came out. I was so glad my doula helped me breastfeed right after the baby was born. It was kind of weird, since I’d never done it before, but it kind of felt right, as I’d hoped. She nursed like a champ that first time, finding her way and latching on perfectly. I have to say that from that point, it got kind of uncomfortable, since my body wasn’t used to being used in that way. We kept at it, and after two weeks, found our La Leche League group, and have come to find many other moms and babies who are similar to us. After eight months of exclusively breastfeeding, I don’t want to stop! We’ve learned so much about each other and have created such a wonderful and close bond. Breastfeeding right from the start and letting the baby figure it out and jumping right in was the perfect choice for us. I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Help from a Angel

by Amber T

The first 2 weeks were horrible. I had no idea what I was doing. Everyone in my family was, are, very encouraging but I was considering giving up. I felt like a horrible mom because my daughter was losing weight and I couldn’t stand to feed her. But then I remembered that a old high school friend of mine was a lactation consultant. I got in touch with her and explained what was going on. Within a couple of days everything was great. She was wonderful. I couldn’t have done it without her. My daughter is 6 months old and I have no plans to stop breastfeeding anytime soon.

From Ouch to Awe!

by Lauren C

When we came home I almost gave up. I was in pain and cried every time my son ate. My mom who had breastfed 3 children including myself kept encouraging. Finally after 2 weeks of tears, struggle,and lots of lanolin!, at 4 months he’s a chunk and I love when he stares into my eyes while he eats. I’ve even been able to help other struggling friends with advice! I’m so glad I had supporters around to cheer me on! We love breastfeeding!